Carlton and Western Bulldogs followers might do a double take after they see former Australian cricketer Simon O’Donnell pacing the concourse at Marvel Stadium on Saturday evening.
They may get a couple of possibilities to determine him as a result of the celebrated twin sport athlete thinks he may do a couple of nervous laps as his son James O’Donnell performs his first sport for the Bulldogs.
The 20-year-old has obtained a senior call-up to cap off a whirlwind 5 weeks since he was signed as a class B rookie, with three spectacular VFL video games and an “unbelievably impressive” pre-season incomes him the religion of Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge.
Incredibly, the proud news for the O’Donnell household got here the day after James’ elder brother, Tom, gained his manner again onto the record of contracted Victorian cricketers after six seasons within the wilderness.
Their father, who performed in each sports activities on the highest degree with 24 VFL video games at St Kilda to go along with his six Tests and 87 ODIs, stated it was “surreal” to see the pair each rewarded for his or her perseverance in the identical week.
“We’re all just so proud of them. All our family are just so proud of how they’ve fought through the whole process and just tried to be as good as they can,” O’Donnell stated.
“If they’ve ever asked anything of their parents and sister, we’ve been very happy to answer, but we haven’t pushed them one way or the other.
“Having been through all the lows and highs – will this happen, won’t this happen – it’s quite surreal in a way.”
O’Donnell stated James’ debut was the results of a brave resolution to comply with by way of on his unfulfilled childhood ambitions in soccer.
He stated the 197cm quick bowler had been hampered by the 2 Covid-interrupted seasons and a speedy development spurt after enjoying most of his junior footy as a midfielder.
“It was Christmas time he stopped playing cricket – in James’ words, he said he had an itch he had to scratch – he wanted to answer the question, can I or can’t I?” O’Donnell stated.
Beveridge was at pains to say James’ debut had been hard-earned – the coach stated his signing 5 weeks in the past had been “trivial” and the speedy left-footer had earnt his spot off the again of a exceptional summer time with the VFL program.
“He’s just been unbelievably impressive with everything he’s done. We had our doubts he’d be able to complete a pre-season seeing he hasn’t really played much footy,” Beveridge stated.
“It surprised us that everything we threw at him he was able to manage, and we’ve been able to school him in a couple of roles and try to prepare him.”
O’Donnell stated Tom’s comeback to pressure his manner again into the Victorian squad was a testomony to his character within the face of a luckless run with accidents.
The left-arm quick bowler burst onto the scene for seven List A matches as a 19-year-old in 2016, in addition to a sport in opposition to South Africa for the Cricket Australia XI the place he claimed three wickets, however his physique broke down.
Strong kind in Premier Cricket with Essendon led to a Victorian one-day debut in February, the place he opened the bowling in opposition to South Australia.
“Tom had a really difficult few years with stress fractures and confidence in whether his frame would ever give him the opportunity to play to the best he can,” O’Donnell stated.
“They were troubled waters, and he actually worked his way through all of that and still had the passion and determination to do as well as he could.”
Source: www.news.com.au
